ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Lois Bare began serving as interim director for Europe on June 5, while Mennonite Mission Network searches for a long-term candidate.

Bare’s recent three-year term as hostess and administrator at the London Mennonite Centre, which she completed in February 2007, prepared her well for her current position. Through staff retreats and personnel visits to LMC, she developed relationships with many of Mission Network’s Europe team.

Previously, Bare spent five years at the Connecticut Fund for the Environment in a development position. From 1987–1997, she served as director of constituency relations at Goshen College, and, prior to that, she worked for the Church World Service division of the National Council of Churches, first developing curriculum for global education, then serving as information director for CWS regional offices.

Bare and her husband, Jim, now live in Goshen and attend Eighth Street Mennonite Church. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. The Bares enjoy entertaining and extending hospitality to those around them.

“I care for them,” Bare said of her Mission Network colleagues in Europe, “And I want them to feel like they’re being cared for.”

Former director for Europe J. Robert Charles served with Mennonite Board of Missions from 1996 - 2002 and continued with Mennonite Mission Network from 2002 until his resignation in June 2007.

The director for Europe provides leadership in collaborative program planning, direction and strategies for Mission Network’s ministries in Europe. The director also communicates regularly with Mission Network’s 38 Europe workers, connecting them to the agency and supporting churches.

Interested parties are invited to read the position description posted on the Web site and to contact StaffRecruitment@MennoniteMission.net  for further information.